National

B.C. woman's remains found 32 years after death

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Nov, 2022 04:06 PM

PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - The remains of a woman have been found in Prince George, B.C., 30 years after her killer was convicted of her murder.

RCMP say the human remains were discovered last month in Connaught Hill Park.

Police say with the help of the BC Coroners Service, it was able to identify the remains as those of Donna Charlie, who was killed in 1990.

While the initial investigation resulted in a conviction, police say the file remained open with its missing persons unit.

Gerald Smaaslet, who was Charlie's boyfriend at the time of her death, was convicted of second-degree murder after admitting that he buried her headless body in an empty Prince George lot.

Smaaslet told his trial in 1992 that he buried the woman's head on Connaught Hill.

An RCMP news release says Charlie's family has been notified of the discovery.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism

The VPD says it launched an investigation Tuesday after being alerted by a social media post that the glass covering the memorial in Coal Harbour had been shattered. Const. Jason Doucette says officers are looking into any links to what he called a "similar crime" in which glass sections of the Olympic Cauldron less than 200 metres away were smashed on Saturday morning.

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

A statement posted to social media by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the family of four turned and ran when the bear charged them Monday evening. The service says the bear chased them and attacked one woman, while another woman and a teenage boy were injured trying to help her.

Bear attacks family, two gravely hurt: B.C. RCMP

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

The homicide team says in a statement that Kia Ebrahimian pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder in B.C. Supreme Court on Monday. Police were called to a Langley house fire on June 13, 2020, and found the bodies of the man's mother Tatiana Bazyar, his brother Befrin Ebrahimian and Francesco Zangrilli.

Man pleads guilty to Langley triple homicide

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

The federal government plans to send cheques of up to $650 to qualifying low- and medium-income households to help pay for children's dental needs through the same platform used for Canada Child Benefit payments. That is run through the Canada Revenue Agency, which the experts suggest could be a problem because many low-income families are less likely to file tax returns.

Dental benefit may not reach families who need it

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Murray Rankin says fighting crime by arresting more people is "futile," and the government is instead considering a range of options to keep people safe. Opposition Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon told the legislature that the government has continued a "catch-and-release" policy where repeat offenders are quickly freed from custody despite being accused of violent crimes.

Arrests are 'futile' to curb crime: B.C. minister

Crews battle wildfire in B.C. regional park

A Twitter account for the district's emergency services division had posted on Saturday afternoon saying the fire was "under control and not spreading," but on Sunday the BC Wildfire Service's website lists the blaze as out-of-control. Videos posted online by the district show a helicopter dumping water on the fire.